Published Sep 21, 2026 | 12:57 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 21, 2026 | 12:57 PM
The government wants an ecosystem that retains students, attracts reputable institutions & strengthens higher education. (Representational pic/iStock)
Synopsis: The UDF government has decided to withdraw the Kerala Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, passed by the Assembly on 25 March 2025 and now pending Presidential assent. The decision follows scrutiny of provisions requiring private universities to own or possess land and maintain security or fixed deposits. The government plans to consult stakeholders and introduce fresh legislation to facilitate the establishment of private universities and higher education and research institutions in Keralam.
The UDF government has decided to withdraw the Kerala Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, passed by the previous LDF government, and introduce fresh legislation to facilitate the establishment of private universities and higher education and research institutions in Keralam.
The Higher Education Department issued an order on 17 September directing that the Bill, which is pending before the President for assent, be withdrawn during the next session of the Keralam Legislative Assembly, expected to be summoned in October.
The government has decided to withdraw the Bill through a resolution under Rule 118 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Keralam Legislative Assembly, based on the legal advice it received.
The department has also been directed to consult stakeholders and prepare a fresh Bill after the withdrawal. The new legislation will be introduced in the next Assembly session.
The Bill was passed by the Assembly on 25 March 2025, and submitted to the Governor for assent on 21 April. The Governor subsequently reserved it for the consideration of the President under Article 200 of the Constitution.
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According to the order issued by Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Dr B Ashok, the Bill came under scrutiny following observations from the concerned Union Ministries on provisions requiring private universities to compulsorily own or possess land and maintain mandatory security deposits or fixed deposits.
The constitutional and procedural issues arising from these provisions were examined subsequently, with the Law Department clarifying the aspects involved in July.
The Union government will also be informed through the Governor after the withdrawal so that further action can be taken under Article 201 of the Constitution.
The fresh legislation is intended to facilitate and promote the establishment of high-quality private educational and research institutions and universities in Keralam, officials said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
